A Brief History

Australian indigenous culture stretches back more than 40,000 years while Europeans first settled Melbourne on the banks of the Yarra River in 1835 when it was part of the British colony New South Wales. In 1851, the colony of Victoria was separated from New South Wales and this area became the Australian state of Victoria. Federated as a Nation with Australia's other states and territories in 1901.

Melbourne was founded by John Batman with his immortal words jotted into a diary in 1834 after he had viewed a 270,000 hectare site on the banks of the Yarra River. 'This will be the place for a village'. It was then purchased from the Doutgalla tribe for an annual tribute of trade goods worth about 200 pounds.

Named after Lord Melbourne, then British Prime Minister, the fledgling city thrived.

After less than 50 years of settlement, the British journalist George Augustus Sala, dubbed it 'Marvellous Melbourne'. Already it was a bustling centre of arts and crafts, strolling players, theatre and gracious living. Even then, there was an air of a city going places, a mood intensified by the public announcements of gold discoveries, in country Victoria, in 1851. Thousands flocked to the city, and it was commonplace to see red-shirted miners, and their sophisticated ladies, playing skittles with empty champagne bottles in the crisp Melbourne air!

Laid out in a symmetrical, rectangular grid, with wide streets and an abundance of parks and gardens, Melbourne gained a reputation as the 'Garden City', something it has been proud to maintain.

During the time of Queen Victoria, the city witnessed the building of exquisite examples of the architecture of the era. Today, the many remaining buildings are protected and loved by the community, and most, with their intricately designed wrought iron balconies have been restored to their former glory. The blend of Victorian architecture with the sleek designs of our time is one of the unique and impressive features of the City of Melbourne.